PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
NOTE: Part of this product spotlight appeared on the March 19th net preview entitled, "Urban Survival - The Corona." Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were not able to address this item. Usually, when we don't discuss a spotlight, we let it go, figuring that everyone had a chance to read about it and that should take care of it. But. since we had the "unavoidable circumstances" and, more importantly, a subsequent release of another improved flashlight, we felt that it would be worthwhile to bring these new and newer items to your attention.
When it comes to crowded fields for products, flashlights certainly have earned a spot at the top. And, in case you've wondered, this is a very good thing, because in most cases, it is the consumer that benefits when there are a lot of players, making a lot of products. Free enterprise, baby!!!
A little history, if you please. While the much older style alkaline AA and AA batteries are still in use in many flashlights, the current trend is heavily weighted in favor of a much more powerful and long lasting battery, the 18650 Li ion. It's benefits are many and it's no surprise that it has become the (or one of the) most popular energy sources for handheld flashlights in the market today. It's capabilities are so impressive that the 18650 battery is not only used in many flashlights, but some car makers use them (and lots of them) to power their electric vehicles. As time has passed we have seen the amp hour rating of the 18650 increase from 2400 mAh to 3700 mAh in a matter of a few short years.
Just a quick note here: The battery designation (18650) is not an arbitrary number, but a reference to the external dimensions of the battery itself. So an 18650 battery is 18mm in diameter and 65mm in length. No idea what that is in inches, but you get the picture.
Back to history, and in this case, current history. As with most things these days, they improve. In the case of batteries, we seem to be following the famous words of Tim the Tool man Taylor - MORE POWER!!! Yep, bigger is better!!! Drivers want more power, flashlight users want more power, and so do we. The result is that there is a never ending quest to build a better, more powerful battery, and that is where a certain new battery has been making an impressive appearance in the last couple of years - the 21700 Li ion battery. Just a tad bigger in physical size, but a significant leap in power at 5000mAh.
The Fenix PD36R
One of the first to employ the 21700 battery in a flashlight is the Fenix company with their new PD36R blaster, capable of producing a
1600 lumen light for almost 3 hours. For a few pennies less than a C-note, you can be the proud owner of one hell of flashlight.
The specs are impressive, both in terms of run time and light power.
From the Fenix website (
https://www.fenixlighting.com)
- Fenix-PD36R-Flashlight.jpg (49.94 KiB) Viewed 801 times
- fenix-pd36r-spec-chart.png (27.53 KiB) Viewed 801 times
The Fenix PD40R V2.0
At the time I wrote the above, the PD36R was the king of the hill, but apparently, not for long. About a week ago, I received an email from Fenix introducing their newest king of the hill, the PD40R, sporting 3000 lumens, a 21700 Li ion battery, and all in a package just slightly bigger than the PD36R. AND, it can blast out 3000 lumens for close to three hours. I personally like the controls on the 40 better!
Here is the flashlight and the specs.
- Fenix-PD40R-Rechargeable-Flashlight.jpg (49.93 KiB) Viewed 801 times
- pd40r-spec-chart.png (25.69 KiB) Viewed 801 times
